AFLW Team by Team Season Preview

AFLW is back for its second season after last year which could only be described as a monumental success. A national competition was launched with big crowds and entertaining play and a few stars were born in Erin Phillips and Daisy Pearce. This season kicks off with a repeat of last season’s opening game with traditional foes Carlton and Collingwood facing off at the old Princes Park. Here is a quick look at all eight teams this season and some players to look out for.

Adelaide Crows

Last season’s premiers come into the competition looking like they improved with most of their core players staying on and the addition of young guns Eloise Jones and Ruth Wallace, who played for the Matildas in youth soccer. The Crows possess a dominant midfield with Erin Phillips their star player, but watch out for last year’s Rising Star winner Ebony Marinoff, who looks set for a big year. The Crows can absolutely go back to back this season, but like all teams will need luck with injuries.

Brisbane Lions

The runners up from last year will be looking to go one better this time around and have addressed their biggest weakness from last year, depth in the ruck position. The Lions have added Jessy Keefe who looks as though she can come straight into the best 21 and feed a solid midfield led by captain, Emma Zielke. Sabrina Fredick-Traub looks as though she will spend more time forward after Tayla Harris was traded and she looks set for a big year.

Carlton Blues

The Blues just snuck into the finals last year and will be looking to improve this season. They welcome back Jess Hocking who injured her ACL last year. Hocking will provide some much needed depth in their midfield, which was something that they lacked last year. Keep an eye out for Maddison Gay, who was on the rookie list last season. She was a former state netballer who has made the switch over to footy. Is having a Netball background the new Basketball background?

Collingwood Magpies

Just missing the finals was a common theme for the Magpies in both the men’s and women’s competition last season and both teams will be looking to do better this year. The Magpies have lost a couple of their better players but have retained Jaimee Lambert who will be their best midfielder, but also push forward and be dangerous. Chloe Molloy looks like an interesting recruit. She was the leading goal kicker in the VFLW last year and has a lot of upside.

Fremantle Dockers

The Dockers struggled a bit last year, only winning one match for the year, but avoiding the wooden spoon on percentage. The Dockers will need to revamp their list and coaching to be a threat this season. They have added Ashlee Atkins who should provide them with an avenue to goal, something they lack last season. Of the returning brigade, Ebony Antonio looks set for a big year off half back.

GWS Giants

Last year’s wooden spooners can only get better as they look to get established in this competition. They have thrown their weight around in the offseason adding Alicia Eva from Collingwood who is a gut running midfielder. Eva was runner up in Collingwood’s best and fairest last year and should slot nicely into the Giant’s midfield. The Giants have also added Cora Staunton who is a 10 x All Ireland Gaelic footballer. She looks like she is set to dominate the competition as a forward and is a must for your Draftstars team.

Melbourne Demons

The Demons finished third last year after a very slow start and will be looking to break into the top two this year. Led by Daisy Pearce who is regarded as a top two player in the league, they look like one of the favourites to win it all this year. The addition of Tegan Cunningham looks like a massive coup for the Demons as she is an elite athlete who used to play in the WNBL. Cunningham can play all over the ground and she kicked three goals in a practice match last week, her only competitive game of football to date.

Western Bulldogs

The Doggies had a disappointing year finishing sixth overall, but will be looking to push for a finals berth this year. The Dogs will be looking to Katie Brennan to have another big year after she won the goal kicking and best and fairest last year, but they also need to provide her with some support. They have added Monique Conti, an under 18 All Australian representative who is another dual sport prodigy. Conti also plays for the Melbourne Boomers in the WNBL. Finals are a real possibility for the Dogs this year, but like all teams, will need luck with injuries.